Azula's characterization is compelling by how it's just slightly alien to the human baseline. The author clearly conveys that Azula doesn't understand certain concepts or emotions beyond very fuzzy notions. While she does love Zuko, her empathy for him is amorphous. Basically, Azula is a budding psycho. This translates into a feeling of freshness in the fight scenes, because the reader rides on Azula's shoulder and knows full well that she's perfectly willing to kill the members of the Gaang — and so is the author, maybe.
Lavanya Six's review
Azula's characterization is compelling by how it's just slightly alien to the human baseline. The author clearly conveys that Azula doesn't understand certain concepts or emotions beyond very fuzzy notions. While she does love Zuko, her empathy for him is amorphous. Basically, Azula is a budding psycho. This translates into a feeling of freshness in the fight scenes, because the reader rides on Azula's shoulder and knows full well that she's perfectly willing to kill the members of the Gaang — and so is the author, maybe.